Lineament Analysis Using ASTER Satellite Images in the Southern Part of the Korean Peninsula

Abstract

Lineaments are often related to faults and lithologic boundaries and in some cases to geomorphic relief. They can be helpfully utilized by investigating active tectonics as preliminary data. In order to assess the distribution and activity of the lineaments around the coastal area of the Korean Peninsula, we have interpreted lineaments using ASTER (Advanced Space borne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer) images. The lineaments range from 2 km to 50 km long and show a dominant NNW-SSE trend. The lineament density along the eastern coast line of the Korean Peninsula is higher than the densities on the southern and western coast lines. The lineament rank is La to Le. However, La and Lb are not in sufficient abundance to have a high possibility to be active. In the Pocheon region, there are Quaternary volcanic activities, and hence there is a possibility of recent crustal movement in this area. We plan to recheck the presence and activity of ASTER lineaments by aerial photographs and field investigations in the future.